Yukti

Shankar!!

Shankar!!!

He is all over the place. He is everywhere I go. Like wherever I am patroling. Or investigating some cases.

All I know is that he would be around. 

He would flirt with me.

Get closer to me.

Ughhhh I, want to get rid of this man.

It's been nearly a month since I came back but he has been constantly grating on my nerves.

I went to the town area, that man followed me and yesterday I had duty in a college guess what he was there again

"Aur madam ji, " He said holding that classic grin.

"Tum yaha bhi, mera peecha kyu nahi chord dete." I said irritated.

(You? Again? Why didn't you just leave me alone?)

"Aj pheli baar Apka peecha nahi kiya tha kasam se." He swears pinching his throat.

(Oh no! I swear this is the first time I didn't follow you? )

God! how much I hate his looming down at me and closing me into his space. It brings back so many unwanted memories.

Fighting through those memories I stepped back.

"apni bhen ko chordne aye ho ?"  I asked. 

(You've come to leave your sister?)

He always had a habit of dropping his brother off. No matter how busy his schedule was. Shankar always ensured that he was the one to drop his siblings off. It was his way of being there for them.

It was something that I....... adored? at one point of time... But not anymore.

No more falling into his trap.

"Usko chord ne aya tha, apke darshan ho gaye. Hehe"

(Yeah, I came to drop her but then I saw you. My day couldn't be great anymore. Hehe.)

I shook my head at the bad timing.

"Dur raho mujhse. Warna accha nahi hoga. "

(Stay away from me, otherwise it won't be good.!)

They were the last words I had told him. But did that man listen? Of course not.

This man is so stubborn and relentless when it comes to getting what he wants.

This time he says he wants me.

He's been clear with his intentions like he was before. But I am not falling into his trap again.

I thought of all the possible ways to get rid off this man. Soon he will win the election which means he is going to be more powerful.

Now I can't let this happen which is why I have called him today.

I look at the clock five minutes to go. Five minutes before he arrives.

I take a deep breath. I don't know why I am feeling so nervous.

Just because of that perpetrator.

Shankar! His name falls out like an unwanted forbidden prayer.

"Unki Saanson mein agar mera zikar hai, toh khush naseeb hun mein. "

("If there's just a mention of my name in your breath then I'm a lucky soul.")

And there he is!

Of course he had to hear me.

I close my eyes to hold in my emotions then put a big smile to face him.

"Tumhe aur koi kaam nahi h na? Mein jabse yaha ayi hu tabse mere age peeche, age peeche krte rehte ho."

("Don't you have any work? Ever Since I got here, you've been following me around, back and forth.")

"Kitni pyari lagti ho jab gusse mein yuh muskura kr baat krti ho."

(You look so beautiful when you talk smilingly in anger.)

"Chahte kya ho tum.? "

(What do you want?)

"Tumko. (You)." He says as if I should know it.

We stare into each other's eyes. I don't fall for the pacifist love I see in them and I hope he sees hatred in mine.

"Mera Peecha krna kyu nahi chod dete. "

(Why don't you stop following me?)

"6 saal apka intezaar kiya h madum ji, aur jitne saal krne hai karunga magar chordne ki baat mat krna. Dil mein khanjar jaisa dard hota h. " He says rubbing his chest.

("I've waited 6 long years for you madam, and I'll wait for as many years as it takes, but don't talk about leaving. It feels like a dagger piercing my heart.")

"Shadi kroge mujhse? "

(Will you marry me?)

I ask out of the blue and it catches him off the guard.

At first he was shocked and then a full blown smile appeared on his face.

"Are haan haan bilkul. Yeh bhi koi puchne wali baat h. " Shankar grabs my wrist, " Chalo abhi shadi krne chalte h. "

(Oh yes, absolutely. Is this even a question to ask?" Shankar grabs my wrist, "Let's go and get married right now."

"Aa....reee, ek minute, ek minute. " I say and stop him.

(Woah! Woah! Hold on a second!)

"Phele haath chodo mera." (First of all leave my hand.)"

I admonish him. Dejected he releases my hand.

"Meri ek shart h. " (I have a condition.)

"Kaisi Shart ?" (What condition?)

He gives me a doubtful glance.

He readily agreed to the marriage part without thinking I might have some ulterior motive and now he is suspicious about this thing.

"Tumhe mere ghar walon ko manana hoga iss shadi ke liye. "

(You have to convince my parents for this marriage.)

I know my parents will never agree to this. A goon like him will never stand a chance. How can he be anyone's choice.

"Bas itni si baat?" (That's it?)

"Aur agar mere ghar wale nahi mane to tum mera peecha phir kabhi nahi kroge."  Stepping closer to him I say, "aur ho sake toh bhool jana."

("And if my family doesn't agree, you won't bother me again?" Stepping closer to him, I say, "And if possible, try to forget me.")

Shankar chuckles, "bhoolne ka to sawal hi nahi uthata lekin. "

(Forgetting is not even an option.)

He leans down closer. His mouth inches away from my lips, moves over to my ears and adds, " lekin Shaadi Ke Baad wo sab bhi karna padega Jo ek pati patni krte h." I am left speechless. After a while I question, "kya matlab? "

("But after marriage, we'll have to do all the things that couples do. Are you ready for that? " I am left speechless. After a while, I question, "What do you mean?")

Shankar replies ,"Mera matlab ki mujhe izzat deni padegi. Aur pyar se baat karni padegi Apko Madam ji. Kya wo sab bhi krne ke liye taiyar ho? "

("You'll have to give me respect and talk to me lovingly, Madam ji, are you prepared for that?")

As if I will marry!!

"Aur yeh haath." Shankar seizes my hand and states, " Yeh bhi pakadne dena padega.

("And this hand." Shankar seizes my hand and states, "You'll have to let me hold it too. ")

"Pheli apni shart poori kro phir baat karenge. " I smile back at him.

(First, complete your bet.)

"Haye! Isi muskurahat pe toh dil kurban. " He said caressing his wide built chest.

(Ohh, my heart is ready to be sacrificed for this smile.)

"Aur haan yeh sabotage nahi krogi aap. Apke ghar ko iss shadi ke liye manana meri zimmedaari. "

("And yeah, don't sabotage this condition by informing your parents. Convincing them for this marriage is my responsibility.")

"Sabotage? " I mock the use of heavy literary word.

"Aap hi se seekha tha 6 saal phele. Aj tak yaad hai. " He states impressed with himself.

("You taught me that 6 years ago, and it's still stuck with me!")